Water
sports are a prime and exciting option on a vacation in Goa. Goa's splendid
coastline, rivers and lakes make it the perfect place for some thrilling
aquatic sport activities. Surfing, snorkeling, jet-skiing, boogie boarding,
scuba diving, water-skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, and deep sea fishing
are just some of the water sports that can be enjoyed here!
And the best part about enjoying water sport in Goa is that all you need is
loads of enthusiasm and you'll have an absolutely unforgettable time. Some
of the most popular aquatic sports in Goa are a swishing ride on a water
scooter or a speedboat at Dona Paula or a leisurely sail on a paddleboat on
the picturesque Mayem Lake. Other exciting watersports like scuba diving off
Grand Island or paragliding are available at Arambol beach or Bogmalo beach.
To enjoy these sports, one has to have the grit and should be done under
expert guidance and even if one is a newcomer to these sports, one can get
expert instructions to learn and enjoy the thrill of diving or para gliding.
Windsurfing has proved enormously popular and Goa's almost endless array of
coastal and inland waterways have given rise to numerous national
windsurfing events. The various activities at the Goa are the following
Windsurfing in Goa
Windsurfing is a unique blend of surfing and sailing, which requires the
surfer to adjust his strength and balance to the changing patterns of wind
and water. By shifting his feet forward or backward, leaning the weight to
the right or left, and manipulating the boom in or out, the windsurfer
modulates and harmonizes the fickle forces of wind and water to obtain the
desired balance and direction. To the expert who has honed himself in all
these nuances, windsurfing can indeed be an exhilarating experience.
Most of the windsurfing trainers and experts deems Dona Paula bay to be
ideal for the beginners. The conditions here are almost lake-like for both
the prevailing winds and the sea. The morning breeze is light and
steady-just right for learners; while stronger winds that set in during the
afternoons offer a perfect challenge for the more experienced.
However, water sports have seen a stupendous growth all along the Goa and
have been largely responsible for the first Windsurfing Regatta, now an
annual event. This, along with the Open Board Sailing Competition that lasts
up to a week, are events that all water enthusiasts have come to look
forward to.
Water Skiing
Skiing is considered to be one of the major extreme sports in the sport,
but water skiing is something that gives a water sport lover the opportunity
to make a splash at the watery depths of the sea world. Similar to surfing
in many ways, you do get to balance on the ski board in here too, but a
strong a sensory power is also required over here too.
When you are on a beach, you will never run out things to do on beach, and
water skiing is one sport that one must indulge into if you are eligible to
try one out. There aren't many private beaches at Goa, but the beaches
attached to the luxurious beach resorts are the ones that offer a wealth of
hi-tech water sports with proper equipment and the highest safety standards.
Dinghy Sailing
A pleasant change from windsurfing is dinghy sailing, often referred to as
'beer and sandwich' sailing. With the winds in Goa so gentle most of the
time, this particular sport offers its participants much time to relax.
Dinghies are available for hire at the Cidade de Goa and the Taj Holiday
Village. These 15-odd feet long crafts hold three to four people comfortably
Scuba
Diving
For the speed freaks Goa offers the thrills of venturing into the sea on
speedboats. The 'thoroughbred' amongst these, can achieve speeds up to 30-40
miles an hour. These crafts, which can carry between six to eight people,
are available at the Cidade de Goa, Oberoi, and Taj Hotels. They can be
conveniently used for sightseeing as well as water-skiing.
Angling
The beaches of Goa offer a varied and plentiful, almost inexhaustible,
supply to seafood, still incredibly cheap and absolutely fresh. Go to Betul
for Goa's best and largest mussels, brought ashore by expert divers. Go to
Agonda (not to be confused with Aguada) for all imaginable rockfish which,
with any lucky, you could angle yourself. Soormai, salmon and mullet are
frequent catches.
St. Monica Night Cruise
As the sun sets over the Arabian Sea, a beautifully lighted motor launcher
leaves St. Monica in Panjim for an hour-long journey of ecstasy created by
Goan music and dance. A band plays Konkani, Hindi, Portuguese and English
numbers. The audience has equal participation-they dance on the deck as the
launch cruises along on the quiet waters of the River Mandovi.
Banana Ride
A 'banana ride' in the sea is a thrilling experience. An air-filled rubber
'banana' tied to speedboats takes five riders over the rough sea. By the
time the banana riders are back, they have had at least half a dozen dips in
the sea and numerous jumps over the waves! The fun packed trip is full of
adventure and quite safe too.
Water Scooters at Dona Paula
At Dona Paula, one can ride the waves on water scooters and feel the thrill
of taking the waves head on! Besides, there are also water surfing and water
rafting facilities. And for the less adventurous, there are miles of white
sand to relax on and the blue sea to float in when the sun becomes too hot.
